The Rural Dispatch

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!Family farms are the backbone of rural America, but the reality isn't always what it seems from the outside. In this episode, Brian Reisinger unpacks what's really happening across American agriculture and why it matters far beyond the farm. Brian grew up on his family's farm in Wisconsin before stepping into a career in journalism and public policy, giving him a dual perspective on farming firsthand and the systems shaping today's ag economy. We talk through the deeper history behind the pressures facing family farms, what's changed through generations, and why many producers today are operating in an entirely different environment than those before them. We dig into what's at stake for every American, from food security to long-term stability of our supply chain if current trends continue. At the same time, we highlight the resilience of farm families that keeps them moving forward even when times are tough. Perhaps most importantly, we have an honest conversation about mental health in our rural communities - why it matters, why it's often overlooked, and what resources are out there. Finally, we talk solutions. What can YOU do, whether you're a farmer, consumer, or ag professional, to support the future of family farms. Whether you're involved in agriculture or simply want to better understand the system that feeds this country, this episode delivers a clear picture of what's really going on. Links & ResourcesLand Rich Cash Poor *affiliate linkFarmer Angel NetworkNational Farmer Mental Health AllianceFollow Brian: Website | Facebook | X | Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this milestone 50th episode of The Rural Dispatch, Smoke and Aly sit down for a real time conversation about what's happening across cattle country right now. From baby calves to fat cattle, they let you know what they're seeing and how they're navigating things. The trucking side brings its own challenges, and Smoke is letting you know what's causing him the most stress right now. Take a look back at some of the episodes that stand out the most out of the last 50, and don't forget to share your favorites with someone else who might enjoy the stories that have been told over the past year. Tune in for honest conversations from rural America, as always. Thanks for being here. Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode, JR Joy shares about the setbacks, lessons, and resilience it takes to keep going when you get knocked down. We talk about overcoming adversity, finding purpose after a life-changing accident, polishing your craft, and why giving back to those navigating difficult times has become such an important part of his life. Learn how the Life Rolls On truck show got started and mark your calendars to join us there in June 🚛 LIFE ROLLS ON TRUCK SHOW at the Tyson Events Center June 19-20, 2026 in Sioux City, Iowa. It's just $50 to enter a truck, spectators are FREE, and all proceeds support the children and families at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals of Nebraska. Want to record an episode at the show? Shoot us an email at [email protected] to get on our schedule! Follow Para Polishing on Facebook and TikTokFollow Life Rolls On, a Show for the Kids on FacebookKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week Aly sits down with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig for a conversation that breaks down what's really happening in Iowa agriculture. We talk about his personal ties to agriculture and the programs his office oversees - from Choose Iowa, to conservation efforts, and Farm Bill priorities, and what he sees as the biggest wins and challenges in Iowa ag today. With Iowa Ag Week in full swing, we talk all about what it is, why we celebrate, and how everyone can get involved. Mike also explains what he wishes more people understood about agriculture, how he views the future of the industry including his advice for keeping the next generation engaged in farming and rural life, and how the America250 celebration ties into agriculture's story.Our conversation closes with thoughts on community and the importance of addressing mental health in the ag industry. This episode offers a clear, relatable look at the issues shaping modern agriculture in Iowa. Follow on X | @IADeptAg @MikeNaigIA @ChooseIowaFollow on Facebook | @IADeptAg @MikeNaigIA @ChooseIowaKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!If you've ever wondered what bull haulers talk about when the truck is parked... this one's for you. In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, Rob Budzik, Jacob Magner, and Cauy Brotherson swap stories, share lessons from the road, and tell all about how they got their start hauling livestock. Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, Aly sits down with Adam Steen, a candidate for Governor of Iowa, for a real conversation about leadership, work–life balance, failure, faith, and the lessons that come from both winning and losing. Adam shares how his background in business and his role overseeing state operations shaped the way he thinks about problem solving, responsibility, and integrity, along with why he believes now is the right time to step into public service. This episode is about getting to know the person behind the campaign and what kind of character and leadership it actually takes to serve a state like Iowa.Learn more about Adam | Home - Adam Steen for GovernorKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!⚠️ Explicit content warning: This episode is not suitable for most children.This week Mark Toms joins Smoke & Aly for a no holds barred trip down memory lane. From their trucking escapades, the worst of the worst truck drivers, and strip club shenanigans, to their present-day status as Disney dads, nothing is off limits. Buckle up for the kinds of stories you can only tell years down the road. Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode, Aly sits down with Luke Quandt, owner of Quandts Coatings to talk about what it really looks like to bet on yourself. Luke grew up on a farm and started engraving in his spare time out of his house. After years of working on hog barns, he made the leap to go all in on his side hustle, and six years later hasn't looked back. Luke shares how his passion for quality craftsmanship has turned into a way to help other small businesses stand out, whether it's creating custom pieces for their teams, client gifts, or branded signage. He has a knack for bringing visions to life. Make sure you check out Quandts Coatings and follow along on Facebook to see what he creates next.Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode, Aly and Smoke sit down with Austin and Mady Blair, owners of ABC Beef, to talk about what it really looks like to diversify a family farming operation while raising three young kids. We dig into how they’ve used what they already knew to build multiple income streams, including their direct-to-consumer beef business. They share how the idea started, what it took to get up and running, the struggles they've faced, and where they hope to take things in the future.Austin and Mady also walk us through their hog operation and how it has evolved over the years, including how a devastating fire in their sow unit changed the way they do things. We talk about the day-to-day of raising livestock, plus what goes into managing cattle alongside it all. We dive into their decision to put up a deep pit slatted barn for cattle, why they chose that route, and what they’ve liked about it so far. Throughout the conversation, they share their “why” and how important it is to bring their kids along for every part of farm life. There’s never a shortage of things to do, and they open up about their biggest weakness — wanting to do everything themselves instead of hiring help. This episode is a real, honest look at modern farm life, entrepreneurship, and building a business that supports multiple generations.Find the ABC Beef on Instagram & FacebookKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, Smoke and Aly sit down to recap 2025 in the livestock trucking business — the good, the bad, and the ugly. From the moments that made the long days worth it to the wrecks that tested us, this conversation dives into what our year behind the scenes really looked like.We talk about good people vs bad people we came across in the industry and how those relationships shaped our year, along with a breakdown of our best performing truck and the one that caused the most frustration. Along the way, we detour into travel stories and recap our favorite episodes of The Rural Dispatch in 2025. If you’re in trucking, agriculture, or running a family business, this episode is an honest look at the lessons we’re carrying into the next year.Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week we're talking about the one thing every cattle producer knows they could do better or should do better or would do better if they had the time... but most put off: record keeping. I'm joined by Oaklee Trapp, rancher, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Smarter Cattle, to break down why better data leads to better decisions in today's cattle market. Oaklee grew up in the beef industry, interned with Producers Livestock Marketing Association, and now works with producers marketing their cattle through Producers Livestock. That experience has pushed her to develop Smarter Cattle into what it is today - a simple tool designed to turn ranch records into real, usable information. We talk about why knowing your numbers matters, how emotion can get in the way of good decision making, what holds producers back from adopting new technology, and where ranch management is headed in the next decade. If you've ever thought "I should really figure out a better way to track that," this episode is a good place to start. Find Smarter Cattle online: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTubeKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week Smoke and Aly sit down with Adam Prokash, a first-generation livestock producer whose path into agriculture looks nothing like the traditional one. Adam walks us through how he bought his first farm and learned to raise veal calves without the benefit of growing up in the industry, and how those early years shaped every decision that came after.His story spans multiple chapters: the rise and fall of the veal market, the stretch of years when feeder pigs kept his operation alive, the return to Holstein calves, and the unexpected opportunity that came placing calves in Amish barns. Today, he helps oversee calf programs across Amish communities while supplying milk replacer, meds, and hands-on management.This episode is about building relationships—the ones that open doors, the ones that keep ag businesses afloat, and the ones inside Amish communities that will change your perspective on work, contentment, and the pace of life. It's also about recognizing opportunity and trusting your instincts when it's time for a change.If you love real stories about building something from nothing in rural America, this one’s for you.Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode, Aly sits down with Natallia Opalko, founder of Trucking Safety and author of Safety is the New Profit, to break down the systems and simple fixes that help small fleets improve safety, efficiency, and profitability. Natallia shares the most common compliance and safety hurdles she sees, the tools that make compliance less overwhelming, and how better processes can directly strengthen your bottom line. Whether you run one truck or one hundred, this conversation offers practical steps you can put to work right away. Use code RURAL15 to save 15% on Trucking Safety productsBuy Natallia's new book Safety is the New Profit | Paperback or KindleFollow Trucking Safety on Instagram & FacebookKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week Aly and Smoke dive into a lesson on why winter preparation is important, a conversation about debt strategy and our mindset when financing equipment and managing growth without getting stretched too thin. We also chat about taking calculated risks in business and cattle feeding. Tune in for practical, honest insights for keeping a rural operation moving forward. Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!Hosts Aly and Smoke catch up on Smoke's time back behind the wheel - navigating sale barns, a few frustrations about how trucking has changed, and taking kids along for the ride. They also dig into the business side, from climbing insurance premiums and warranty headaches, to Trump's recent comments on beef prices and what they've really meant for beef producers. Back home, a leaky basement adds to the chaos. It's been one of those weeks at the Behrens homestead. If you need to feel better about the current state of your home or business, this episode should do it. Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode I'm joined by the rhinestone cowgirl herself, Olivia Harms. We chat about growing up on a 150-year-old ranch, running one today with her husband in Northern California, and chasing big dreams on the road. Olivia Harms has created her own “Rhinestone Cowgirl” sound, blending Texas, Bakersfield, and Nashville country. As the daughter of Western Music Hall of Fame member Joni Harms, Olivia debuted onstage at two days old. She was named in COWGIRL magazine’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2022 and won Singer of the Year during the First Annual Women of the West Gala in June of 2022. The Country Music Artists Association of Texas announced her as 2024’s Cowboy Western Artist. She grew up on her family's 150-year-old ranch in Canby, Oregon and, while maintaining a rigorous touring schedule, resides in Northern California.You can follow Olivia on social media and stream her music everywhere you listen. She’s also featured in the first two episodes of The Road on CBS and Paramount Plus, and you can catch her performing at NFR this year on December 4th and 6th at the Westgate Hotel NFR Party.Singer | Olivia Harms | United StatesInstagram | FacebookHey There Cowboy - song and lyrics by Olivia Harms | Spotify‎Olivia Harms - Apple MusicOlivia Harms - YouTubeKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week we’re talking trucking truths — who should buy their own truck, how driver pay really works, and what happens when trucks get ordered but never used. We also touch on getting started feeding cattle. This one is a real, no-filter look at the business side of hauling livestock. Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week’s episode is a snapshot of life right now — the kind where life and business blur together in the best and busiest ways. We’re fresh off our wedding weekend, still soaking it in, and juggling everything that comes with it, because you have to make hay while the sun shines and that means they honeymoon can wait.Smoke and I talk through how things look when he’s on the road and the latest in the fat cattle trade and cow buying business. It’s a little bit of wedding talk, a little bit of market talk, and a whole lot of real life.We’re also sharing what’s ahead for the podcast and opening the door for next week’s Q&A episode. So if you’ve got questions about cattle, trucking, marriage, or rural business, send them our way!Links & Mentions:AERIAL DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY, DRONE PICTURES, GRAPHIC DESIGNBenz Q and CateringPAR Repair Inc.2025 Live Cattle Basis Chart | Producers LivestockKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week on The Rural Dispatch, we’re switching gears from hauling livestock to hauling a bar! Join me for a quick solo update on a busy week in trucking, Smoke getting back into cow buying, and the chaos of wedding week prep in our backyard. Plus, hear about our friends at Agar Transportation and PAR Repair driving a custom bar across the country — and how you could score some merch if you spot it on the road!Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week on The Rural Dispatch, Smoke and Aly talk trucking, cattle, and life. We dig into what a “slow busy season” looks like in livestock trucking, how the cattle market is shaping both hauling and beef availability, and why trucking’s connection to so many industries is both a challenge and a blessing (hello, reefer division revival!). If you’re curious about cattle markets, livestock hauling, or just enjoy a good trucking story, this one’s for you.Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!On this episode, Aly is joined by Ashley Brincks, ag professional and leader specializing in cattle and conservation. In this episode, Ashley shares how her journey through both personal loss and professional opportunities has shaped her into the industry advocate she is today.She reflects on the ways resilience and hard work have guided her path, and we talk about the intersection of conservation and cattle production, the importance of producer’s voices in the industry, and what the next generation of ag leaders can bring to the table.Whether you’re in agriculture yourself or just curious about the stories behind the people who keep rural America strong, Ashley’s story is an inspiring reminder that resilience and courage can grow even in the hardest seasons.Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week Smoke and Aly are diving into a mix of trucking life, ag seasonality, and some good old-fashioned storytelling. We chat about whether the days of handshake deals are behind us, swap stories from Smoke’s time in the truck (including 5 Hour Energy, CB radios, CDs, and stacks of DVDs), and share some ideas for Truck Driver Appreciation Week.We also break down why fall is the busiest season for ranchers, farmers, and truckers, plus give a little update on wedding planning. Thanks for tuning in and engaging with the show. It means the world! Don’t forget to leave us a review and share this episode with a friend.Links & Mentions:Railsback Polishing BayTriple H Truck WashRandy's DieselBeef Hub App (use code RURAL at checkout!)Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!The countdown is on: we're one month out from a wedding and life is a mix of bottle calves, bin dust, broke down trucks and last-minute details. This week is a quick update plus we're asking for your best wedding/marriage advice. Send us your tips and I'll share them on the show! Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week on The Rural Dispatch, Bryan and Rochelle Heiman join Aly and Smoke to share how they came to be Heiman Farm: A Raw Milk Diary in Iowa. With five kids under eight, four (going on six) milk cows, plus pigs, chickens, and turkeys, the Heiman family is living the full farm life while serving their community with fresh raw milk through weekly drop-offs throughout west central Iowa. We talk about how Heiman Farm got its start, how it’s grown, and what’s next for this hardworking family.Find them here: Heiman Farm on FacebookKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, it’s just Aly + Smoke catching up on life, work, and everything in between. We kick things off the way most summer conversations in the Midwest do, talking about the weather. From there, we shift gears into family life with a recap of our annual trip to Branson, a streak of Behrens bad luck, and business lately. It’s a mix of cows, chaos, and family updates... just a slice of what rural life looks like for us this summer.Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week on The Rural Dispatch, I sit down with Maury Eickman, a 97-year-old lifelong farmer from Templeton, Iowa, to capture nearly a century of farming history and wisdom. Maury shares stories from growing up during the Great Depression, surviving the unforgettable “year from hell” in 1936, and building a life on the farm with his wife, Dottie, while raising seven children. He reflects on the 1980’s farm crisis, how rural families built wealth over time, and the dramatic changes he has witnessed in the hog industry. Maury speaks with deep respect for the role women play not only in farming and family life, but also in politics, and explains why estate planning was so important to him and Dottie. He also shares his thoughts on the challenges Iowa farmers may face in the next decade. This conversation is a rare opportunity to hear from someone whose sharp mind and generous spirit make his nearly 100 years of experience both captivating and inspiring.Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week I'm joined by Brandon Roering, third generation dispatcher for his family's livestock transportation business, Lambrecht Livestock Trucking, and the creator of Beef Hub — a brand-new app created specifically for the needs in the livestock transportation world. Join us as we dive into Brandon's journey from growing up in trucking to managing logistics and developing tech, and how he turned his real-world experience into a digital tool to make life a little easier for the ones out on the road. Beef Hub combines a load board, forum, radius tool, and map for washouts, sale barns and packing plants all in one easy-to-use platform. PLUS, listeners of The Rural Dispatch get a free month of Beef Hub when you use code RURAL at checkout. Whether you're in a truck every day, on the phones, or just like hearing stories from the people who keep the livestock world moving, this episode is for you. Follow Beef Hub on Facebook | Download Beef Hub on the App Store or Google PlayKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week, we're joined by both the founders of Agar Transportation, Matt and Debbie Agar, and the current owners of Agar Transportation, Paul and Kindra Radloff. Matt shares how he got started in trucking, and Debbie brings an honest look at what it's really like being married to, and raising kids with, an over-the-road truck driver and dispatcher. We hear about their journey through the trucking industry, all the way up to passing the torch over to Paul. Whether you're in the trucking industry, part of a family business, or just love stories from rural America, you'll get some laughs, lessons and a real look at life from behind the wheel and holding down the fort at home. Tune in to Episode 13 to hear Paul's story. Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!NEW: LEAVE US A MESSAGEFresh off Day 1 of the Western Video Market’s biggest sale of the year, Rick Machado joins us for a boots-on-the-ground conversation in Reno. As an auctioneer, cattleman, and part owner of WVM, Rick shares how the video sale works, what makes it unique, and other industry insights. Plus, we’re joined by a couple of drop-in guests, the Nuttall boys of Susanville, CA and Glenn Benjamin of Simla, CO, to talk about how day 1 of the sale went for them. This episode delivers a true behind-the-scenes look at WVM, with insights straight from the horse's mouth. Links:Western Video MarketKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlayBeef Hub AppTechnology to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!Catch up with us on the road this week. From behind the scenes of podcasting to the current cattle market and life lately, this episode is short and sweet and packed with a little bit of everything from our corner of the world. Need livestock hauled? Give us a call: 712-790-3359Suggestions for a podcast guest? Email Aly: [email protected]:Western Video MarketCattle Drive Video MarketKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!Ryan and Ryam Nelson joined us for a real, down-to-earth conversation about building their concrete business from absolutely nothing - literally. In this episode they share about the early days of Concrete Creators, how they figured it out as they went, and what drove them to start a business and work together. The two of them now also own Jefferson Monument Works and talk about what it means to take on another business, and how it fits into their lifestyle. Get ready for some laugh-out-loud stories from Ryan and Smoke, as they share about the questionable decisions they made in their younger years. We cover everything from wrecked trucks and driving without a license to underage drinking and the kinds of things you'd only get away with before camera phones. It's all part of the story and might make you wonder how two ornery teenagers turned out to be successful business owners raising families. This one is all about small-town roots, having the right people in your corner, and busting your butt to get where you want to be.  Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode, we are honored to have Mark Handlos on to share his story — a farm kid turned medical warrior whose life is rooted in resilience, hope, and an unshakable sense of humor. Mark opens up about what it was like growing up in rural Iowa and then facing a mysterious illness that began at age 15. With no diagnosis and no treatment that worked for more than a decade, he battled episodes that left him unable to walk, urinate on his own, or even see.Mark shares how he navigated some of his darkest days with humor, the importance of the people he keeps close, and the mindset that’s carried him through. We talk about how his experience shaped the way he shows up in the world today and what he’s learned through the years.For all the heaviness of what he’s faced, this conversation is surprisingly light-hearted. I hope it leaves you with a deeper appreciation for the little things and serves as a reminder that even in the unknown, we can choose to live forward.Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!If the words “hedging,” “options,” or “basis” make your eyes glaze over — this episode is for you.Today I’m joined by Zach Tindall, a commodity broker with Producers Livestock and a farmer feeder himself, to break down price protection tools in plain English. We talk about the real-world side of managing market risk — not just the theory, but how it actually works when you’ve got cattle on feed and money on the line.We cover:What “hedging” really means Pros and cons of futures, options, LRP, and packer contractsWhat basis is and why it mattersA unique hedge contract offered only to Producers customers that removes the stress of margin callsZach also shares stories from the farm and how working alongside his dad shapes the way he serves producers today.Whether you've got 50 head or 5,000, this episode gives you the tools — and confidence — to start protecting your bottom line.Links & Resources:Learn more about Producers Livestock | Livestock Marketing, Commodities & CreditSign up for Zach's Weekly Market CommentaryJune 30 is the last day to switch LRP agents for the 2026 insurance year. Give Zach a call to discuss switching LRP agents to Producers Livestock: 712-274-0539Like what you heard? Share with someone who could use a little less guesswork and a little more piece of mind. Follow along for more stories from the road, the farm, and everywhere in between.Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, Aly sits down with farmer and cattle feeder Justin Heiman, a Carroll County native who built his own farming operation from the ground up. Justin shares how he got started with nothing but work ethic, a love for agriculture, and mentors who were willing to show him the ropes.We talk about the highs and lows of getting into farming on your own, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and why serving on the Carroll County Cattlemen’s Association board matters to him. You’ll also hear some light-hearted stories from the farm and a few things only folks in ag will truly understand.Whether you’re a young producer, a rural community supporter, or just someone who loves a good “made it happen” story, this episode is for you.What We Cover:Justin’s early years working on the farm and in feedyardsWhat it took to start his own operation from scratchThe value of learning from others in the ag industryHow local leadership and board involvement impacts the cattle industryFarm stories and quick hits: favorite season, best cut of meat, and advice for the next generationConnect with the Carroll County Cattlemen’s Association on Facebook | Carroll County Cattlemen Beef Builder ProgramKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This episode is for the dads — the ones who hauled cattle before sunup, made you work when you got in trouble, and taught you how to let things roll off your back like water on a duck.For this Father’s Day edition of The Rural Dispatch, we’ve pulled clips from past episodes where guests told stories about their dads — the things they said, the lessons they passed down, and the work ethic they demanded. You’ll hear about trucks, cattle, and the quiet wisdom rural dads are known for.And at the end? Our boys, Ridge (4) and Royce (2.5), share a few thoughts on their own dad. Whether you’re a dad, miss your dad, or are raising the next generation of hard-working kids, this one’s for you.Listen in for:Classic dad sayings like “It’ll be fine” and “If you’re not doing anything this weekend…”Why so many got into trucking and livestock because of their dadsStories that will make you laugh, nod along, and maybe tear upAn interview with Ridge & Royce to wrap it all upTag your dad or someone who’s been like a dad to you — and thanks for listening.Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode, Smoke and I sit down for a real-time check-in — no guest, just us. Following up last week’s episode with Rich Pudenz felt like a tall order, but we wanted to bring it back home and share what’s going on behind the mic.We talk about what it means to build a life and business together — especially when your past doesn’t look picture-perfect. From marriage and faith to cattle markets, networking, and finances, this episode covers everything happening behind the scenes.Links & Resources:JBS USA to Invest $135 Million in New Sausage Plant in Perry, Iowa — JBS FoodsDaisy Brand dairy plant coming to Boone in 2028 | weareiowa.comPoint Reyes lawsuits to force closures after decade-long battles | AGDAILYKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, we sit down with Rich Pudenz—a cattle feeder now in his 90s—who shares what it was like growing up in rural America during the Great Depression, feeding cattle alongside his brothers, and watching the livestock industry evolve over the past century.From early mornings in the feedlot to navigating tough market years, Rich reflects on what went well, what didn’t, and how much has changed in both agriculture and life. His stories are full of perspective that only time can offer.Whether you’ve been in ag your whole life or you’re just curious about the roots of rural business, this conversation is one you won’t forget.What You’ll Hear:Growing up in the 1930s and ‘40s in rural AmericaHow Rich and his brothers got into cattle feedingLessons from decades of running cattle What’s changed (and what hasn’t) in livestock productionHis advice to young people entering ag todayKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!Sit down with us as we talk with Howard Curry, owner of Howard Curry Transport Inc, a brokerage business with deep roots in hauling livestock. Howard takes us all the way back to 1953, when his dad first got into hauling livestock. Born into the business in 1962, Howard's been a part of the livestock world ever since. At 16 years old, he quit school, moved out and went to work on his own -- building a life through trucking, livestock, dispatching, selling cars, and investing in real estate in Liberty, Indiana. Tune in to find out how the livestock and trucking industries have evolved over the years, why keeping your word matters, how good drivers in this industry are undervalued, and what makes someone stand out in trucking today. Howard reminds us that success in business comes down to trust, commitment, and surrounding yourself with good people. Whether you're behind the wheel, in an office, or just love a good American business story, Howard's journey is one worth listening to. Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode, we sit down with Paul Radloff and Brittany Fenstemacher from Agar Transportation to talk about what it means to buy "blue sky" in the trucking industry. Paul bought the company with just $300 to his name but a whole lot of ambition to make it work. Brittany, the brains behind the scenes, helped bring structure to the transition and continues to play a vital role in operations.We also talk openly about the current slowdown in the livestock transportation industry, how the weight of this season is affecting business owners and drivers alike, and why mental health awareness in this industry matters now more than ever. This episode is full of real talk, laughs and insight. Tune in to hear:Paul's background in truckingHow he came to own Agar TransportationBrittany's role in the company and what makes a great teamPAR Repair and other ventures they've startedWhy dispatching is harder than ever right nowThe mental toll of slow seasons, and the importance of talking about itAdvice for others navigating transition, ownership, and burnout in rural industriesLinks & Resources:Agar Transportation | Fruitland, ID | Facebook | Paul Radloff (@agar.transportation) • Instagram photos and videosPAR Repair Inc. | FacebookRoll On Dispatch | FacebookKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, we’re sitting down with James and Megan Holz—farmers, livestock producers, entrepreneurs, and one of the husband-and-wife duos behind Iowa Cover Crop. James and Megan share the story of how they ventured into feeding hogs and the lessons they’ve learned navigating that world, and how it differs from cattle feeding. We dig into the unexpected origin of Iowa Cover Crop — a business that began over beers in a garage between friends, and how it’s grown into a trusted seed provider serving farmers across the Midwest and beyond. James also shares what it was like feeding cattle for the first time on his own and how his approach has evolved over the years. Both James and Megan open up about their professional backgrounds, James as a grain merchandiser and Megan as a CPA, and what it took to transition into running their own ag-focused businesses full-time. From restoring Iowa farmland back to pasture to graze cattle, to growing organic corn with long-term goals in mind, the Holz family is committed to making smart, sustainable moves in agriculture. This is a candid and practical conversation packed with insights for anyone balancing family, business, and a love of the land.Resources & Links:Iowa Cover Crop - Seed Dealer and Cover Crop - Central Iowa, Des Moines, AmesFollow along on ICC's socials: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTubeKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, we sit down with one of our longtime drivers, Marty Wilken -- a man whose roots in trucking run deep. With well over 40 years behind the wheel, Marty shares his unforgettable stories from the road. We cover everything from his family's start in trucking, dating back four generations, to his wildest stories from the road -- including the time(s) he got arrested. You'll also get a firsthand glimpse of what it's like to run under Behrens dispatch, and of course his go-to meal on the road. You won't want to miss these stories. Love what you're hearing? Make sure to follow The Rural Dispatch and leave us a 5-star review! It helps us share more incredible rural stories with you. Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This episode is for the folks who don’t have time for two-a-days at the gym and green smoothies.Whether you’re hauling cattle, running a business, raising kids, or all of the above — this conversation with Josh Snyder will give you practical, doable ways to move your body, eat better, and feel stronger.Josh is the founder of FitNKC, a gym focused on real-life fitness for real people — and the nonprofit BlocLife, which serves veterans and individuals with disabilities. He’s passionate about expanding access to health and movement, especially in rural communities where gyms are few and far between.In this episode, we cover:Why Josh believes confidence matters more than aestheticsThe real-life value of strength and movement for rural folks and truckersHow aging changes our fitness needs — and what to do about it nowSimple, non-restrictive nutrition tips that work on the goBaby steps that can lead to major changes in how you feelJosh’s mission to bring movement to underserved communities through BlocLifeThe connection between better health and a better life — no matter where you liveLinks & Resources:FitNKC:FitNKC | THE BEST GYM IN KANSAS CITY | THE FITNESS YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR | FitNKC (@fitnkc_gym) • Instagram photos and videosBlock Life:Bloc Life | Serving the Underserved in Our Community | Facebook | Bloc Life (@thebloclife) • Instagram photos and videos | (12) Bloc Life: Overview | LinkedInKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, we sit down with Will Epperly, 2022 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion and co-owner of Dunlap Livestock Auction, to talk cattle, markets, and mentorship. From growing up in his family's sale barn in Virginia to becoming one of the top voices in the industry, Will shares the path that led him to earn the world champion title and co-own one of Iowa’s most respected livestock markets. We dive into what it really takes to become a world-class auctioneer, how he sees the cattle market evolving, and why he’s passionate about educating folks outside of agriculture on just how much producers care about their cattle and communities.Whether you’re in the ring every week or just curious about how livestock markets work, this conversation is full of heart, humor, and real talk about what it means to be a leader in rural America.Mark Your Calendars: The 2025 Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) Annual Convention will be held June 4th-6th in Omaha, NE. Dunlap, IA will take center stage June 7th as it hosts the 2025 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship — a  huge moment for Will, Dunlap Livestock, and the entire community. If you’re in the Midwest, it’s worth marking your calendar.Resources & Mentions:DUNLAP LIVESTOCK AUCTION | FacebookLIVESTOCK MARKETING ASSOCIATION | FacebookIOWA'S BEST PORK TENDERLOIN | Dairy SweetKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, we sit down with Denny Kluver, a retired livestock hauler who spent 30+ years driving for Jeff Behrens, the founder of Behrens Trucking. From the very first load to the day he hung up his keys, Denny witnessed firsthand the growth of a family-run business and the evolution of the livestock hauling industry.We talk about what it was like to be on the road in the early days, the challenges of hauling cattle long before GPS and cell phones, and the traits that make a great truck driver. Denny shares old-school wisdom, wild stories from the road, and his perspective on how the trucking industry has changed over the last four decades.Whether you’re behind the wheel or just love hearing from folks who’ve lived the lifestyle, this episode offers timeless insight into what it means to be a true cattle hauler.What We Cover:How Denny got started in trucking Memorable moments from the roadHow trucking has changed over the past 50+ yearsThe role of technology and regulationsTales of hard work and the value of a dollarKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this week's episode of The Rural Dispatch, we continue last week's conversation with Smoke and Mark Toms to share more raw, (mostly) unfiltered stories from their younger years. From struggling to pay the bills to building successful businesses, these guys have been through it all, and today they're telling the stories that shaped them. If you're broke, crashing on a couch, or just need a good laugh - this episode is for you. Keep working hard and don't be afraid of the struggle. It builds character. ;) Leave a review and share this episode if you enjoyed it! Resources & Links:Previous episode with Mark: The Rural DispatchFollow Mark on FacebookKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, I’m joined Smoke and guest Mark Toms—a man of many talents and endless stories. Mark takes us on a journey through his career, starting with how he got into the trucking industry and the unique challenges of pulling a tanker compared to hauling livestock.We also dive into his passion for protecting livestock from predators, specifically his experience as an avid coyote hunter. Mark shares his knowledge about keeping livestock safe and why this role is so important for rural communities.But Mark’s story doesn’t stop at trucking. He also runs a truck and tank wash and has built a side hustle in drywalling that has grown into an impressive business. We chat about how he got his start in this industry, how it’s evolved over the years, and how he juggles it all.The episode wraps up with a meaningful discussion on work ethic—what it takes to succeed in multiple industries and how grit and determination have been central to Mark’s journey.Tune in for an inspiring and engaging conversation about rural life, hard work, and making the most out of every opportunity. Our hat giveaway ends March 31, 2025. Leave a rating and review to be entered for your chance to win!Resources & Links:Follow Mark on FacebookTruck Wash | Randy's DieselHigh-Quality Hunting & Outdoor Gear Company – Life is Now Outdoors LLCKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!This week on The Rural Dispatch, we’re talking all things trucks, trailers, and the cattle industry with Smoke. From EPA regulations to the closure of the American Foods plant in Yankton, SD, there’s a lot shaking up the trucking & livestock worlds right now. Plus, we’re breaking down which brand is really best when it comes to trucks and livestock trailers. And, if you’re frustrated with the cattle market, you’re not alone. We wrap up with an honest conversation about market challenges.Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe! If you’ve got thoughts on the cattle market, truck brands, or trailer preferences, send us a message—we’d love to hear them!Hat Giveaway!As a thank you for tuning in, I’m giving away a hat to one lucky listener! To enter:1. Share the podcast on Facebook or Instagram & tag @behrensandco (make sure your post is set to public!).2. Tag a friend in our giveaway post for an extra entry.3. Rate & review The Rural Dispatch on Apple Podcasts (be sure to sign your name so we know it’s you!).Giveaway runs from March 12 - March 31, and the winner will be announced on April 1!Resources & Links:EPA Deregulatory Action: EPA Launches Biggest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History | US EPAAmerican Foods Closure: Cimpl’s Meats in Yankton closes after 76 yearsTruck Driver Statistics: Our Mission - Project-61Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, I sit down with Jeremy Behrens to talk about his journey from hauling livestock with Smoke and their dad, to running his own one-man trucking operation. We dive into what it takes to get started in trucking today, the pros and cons of new technology, and the importance of a driver’s role in the bigger business picture. Jeremy shares his take on FMCSA regulations, ELDs, and the air-mile radius for livestock haulers, plus the insurance hurdles that come with running trucks. We also swap stories about seeing the country from the driver’s seat, the lessons learned on the road, and the so-called “Behrens bad luck.” If you’re thinking about getting into trucking, buying your first truck, or running your own operation, this episode is packed with real-world advice and hard-earned wisdom.Hat Giveaway!As a thank you for tuning in, I’m giving away a hat to one lucky listener! To enter:1. Screenshot your favorite episode and share it in your Instagram or Facebook stories—tag @behrensandco!2. Tag a friend in our giveaway post for an extra entry.3. Rate & review The Rural Dispatch on Apple Podcasts (be sure to sign your name so we know it’s you!).Giveaway runs from March 12 - March 31, and the winner will be announced on April 1!If you found this episode helpful, I’d love for you to share it with a fellow hauler. Thanks for listening, and I’ll catch you in the next episode!Resources & Links:Motive Logbook Information: Motive: All-in-One Fleet Management & Driver Safety PlatformFMCSA Crash Facts: Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2021 | FMCSAKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, I sit down with Smoke and Jeff "Bug" Schroeder, a cattle feeder from western Iowa, to talk about his journey in the industry. We cover everything from feeding in dirt lots and barns to the realities of hedging cattle and what skills every good cattle feeder should have in their back pocket. Tune in for an honest look at the cattle business, the highs and lows, and what it really takes to make it work. Resources & Links:Cattle Management Software | Performance Livestock AnalyticsProducers Livestock | Livestock Marketing, Commodities & CreditKeep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!In this episode of The Rural Dispatch: Delivering Stories from Rural America, I sit down with my better half, Smoke, to talk about the journey that shaped him and our family’s trucking business. We start with the story behind his name and his deep-rooted ties to trucking and agriculture.From its beginnings to where we are today, we break down the evolution of our trucking company, the challenges facing the industry right now, and what it takes to keep things moving—literally. Smoke shares insights into dispatching, customer relationships, and the importance of networking in this business. We also dive into how unpredictable weather plays a huge role in operations and what the future might hold for both farming and trucking.Whether you’re in the industry or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of rural business, this episode is packed with real talk, lessons learned, and a look ahead.Tune in now and join us on the road to resilience.Resources & Links:Farms and Land in Farms 2024 Summary 02/14/2025Keep track of your income, expenses, invoicing and payments all in one place, even when you're on the road. Right now, get 50% off QuickBooks Online for 3 months through our link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/partners/affiliates Life Rolls On: A Show for the Kids is a family-friendly semi-truck show dedicated to supporting children at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Nebraska. Check it out June 19-20, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Admission is freewill donation. Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, auction, and more. There's something for everyone. For more details visit liferollsontruckshow.com. Beef Hub App – Built by cattle haulers, for cattle haulers. Tools to make your job easier out on the road. Use referral code RURAL to sign up.➤ Download the Beef Hub App | Google PlaySupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices!